When Walt Disney World Resort brings back a previously defunct attraction at the end of this month, fans may not be happy to hear the latest updates.
Numerous construction projects have taken over EPCOT in the last few years. The Disney World park just recently opened Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana, which is an “outdoor exploration trail where water comes to life.” The walk-through attraction allows you to “stroll along a self-guided exploration trail where you can play with water as it travels from the sky to the oceans and back again. Enjoy magical encounters with water and discover its playful personality… just as Moana did on her heroic voyage.”
Alongside the opening of Journey of Water, Walt Disney World Resort also revealed its newly-constructed area in World Celebration, just directly behind Spaceship Earth last year. The new area, which has syncing lights with Spaceship Earth, also features a statue of Walt Disney. Now, as we look toward the end of February, Disney World has shared more news about what is to come.
Though Soarin’ Over California has been up and running inside The Land Pavilion for several months, Disney revealed that the attraction will once again be retired and that Soarin’ Around the World will once again take over its spot beginning February 28. However, even though the defunct attraction is returning from the dead, it will not feature the updates that many Disney park fans were hoping for.
If you have ridden Soarin’ Around the World, you know that the final scene of the attraction features guests flying over EPCOT and descending into Future World just behind Spaceship Earth. The problem? That entire area has now been redone, and it’s not even called Future World anymore, as it is now referred to as World Celebration.
With the theme park receiving major construction upgrades, fans were hoping that the attraction would reflect these real-life changes. According to reports from Scott Gustin, this will not be the case.
“No changes or updates to Soarin’ Around the World,” he reported.
Disney’s official description of Soarin Around the World can be read below:
“Feel the thrill as you’re raised high in the air and swept from one scenic locale to the next. See the world’s wonders—natural and manmade—like you never have before. No mountain is too high. No landscape is too far.
Your journey begins as the clouds part above the majestic Swiss Alps. Next, you’ll visit polar bears in icy Greenland, swoop past sailboats on Australia’s iconic Sydney Harbour and weave between elephants marching toward Mount Kilimanjaro.
Glide above marvels like the Great Wall of China, the Great Pyramids of Egypt and the Taj Mahal in India. Cruise over Monument Valley, Fiji’s Lau Island and thundering Iguazu Falls in South America. Look down on the Eiffel Tower as it sparkles like a jewel in the night, surrounded by the lights of Paris.
This must-see attraction will leave your heart soaring!”
What closures should you expect on your upcoming Disney World trip?
With Soarin’ Around the World returning, there are no major closures to expect in EPCOT. However, there are some updates that you should be aware of when visiting the other Disney World theme parks.
First, Magic Kingdom is currently without two attractions in Frontierland. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (which is replacing Splash Mountain) is still finishing up construction, and the expectation is that the attraction will open this summer. In addition, Country Bear Jamboree has closed down for updates and will not reopen until the summer.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios is home to the largest and most impactful closure as Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith remains shut down until the summer. With the popular coaster shut down for the time being, the Disney World park is down to just eight total rides. This means that crowding can be a problem for this theme park, in particular, especially during busier times.
Finally, Kali River Rapids at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is closed down for scheduled maintenance until March 16, 2024. In addition, It’s Tough to be a Bug! will close down permanently later this year, but an exact date has not been announced.
It should be noted that Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park will close down for refurbishment on March 17, 2024, and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park will reopen this same day.
Inside the Magic will keep you updated on the latest happenings all around Walt Disney World Resort.